I welcome everyone. Before we commence, I want to place on record regarding the committee's examination of FÁS that, arising from his appearance on the "Today with Pat Kenny" radio show, the committee had asked Mr. Niall Saul, a member of the board of FÁS, and chairman of its audit sub-committee, if he would give evidence to the committee. Mr. Saul has not contacted us despite the fact that we wrote to him twice. I can only presume he does not want to pursue with this committee the issues he raised in the public domain on that radio show. The committee sees no difficulty in the way that Mr. Saul has dealt with this matter in the public domain but we did take issue with the fact that he went on national radio at the same time his chairman on the board of FÁS was dealing with the issue before this committee.
I also wish to place on record the fact that Mr. Greg Craig, the former director of corporate affairs in FÁS, has declined an opportunity to give evidence to the committee, as was his right under section 10(2) of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act 1997. That right arises as he was capable of being identified in proceedings of the committee on 24 September 2009. It is entirely a matter for Mr. Craig as to whether he wanted to clarify any issue that was raised about him by committee members at our public meetings.
At this stage the committee hopes to resume on the FÁS issue on 26 November, when we hope to have the outcome of a review ordered by the Tánaiste recently into the retirement package given to Mr. Rody Molloy and other issues.
Mr. John Buckley (An tArd Reachtaire Cúntas agus Ciste) called and examined.